Cards Against Violence by Ash Magazine, in aid of Sistah Space

Lockdown might be easing, but for some the nightmare isn’t over.

Nine standout UK based artists have donated their work to create a collection of exclusive prints that double as postcards, priced at £12 + postage, raising money for domestic violence charity Sistah Space.

Artists in alphabetical order:
Alva Skog
Assa Ariyoshi
Gemma Rhead
Habiba Nabisubi
Melissa Kitty Jarram (Ash Magazine Issue 2 cover)
Mimi Butlin
Mol Benge
Salome Papadopoullos
Savanna Achampong

Domestic violence surged in the UK during the Covid-19 period. The statistics are overwhelming: 67% of survivors surveyed by Women’s Aid say abuse got worse during lockdown, and 72% say their abuser now has more control over their life. A staggering 80% of survivors, who had previously been supported through face-to-face informal networks, say this decreased or stopped completely.

The experiences of Black, Asian and other minority ethnic survivors are compounded by racism and stereotyping, leaving them feeling unrepresented by mainstream domestic violence charities and less likely to contact the police. It’s vital that the family and friends of domestic abuse survivors have access to community-based services that reflect their cultural heritage, such as Sistah Space, London’s only domestic violence charity dedicated to women and children of African and Carribean heritage.

Since July, Sistah Space have been locked in dispute with Hackney Council, who are forcing them to vacate their temporary premises on Mare Street to return to the site they had previously occupied (since 2016), in an area known locally as ‘Murder Mile’. The Mare Street premises has much to recommend it in terms of safety: it’s on a busy main road, offering anonymity to those passing through, the entrance does not lead out directly onto the street, and it’s well served by every major bus route in the borough.

In contrast, the previous location backs out into a disused, part derelict area and with only one room, it’s neither big enough nor safe enough for use as a sanctuary for vulnerable women and children. “We have over three years of emails saying this place is dangerous,” says Founder Ngozi Fulani, noting a 300% increase in footfall to their Mare Street premises.

On August 12, Sistah Space was served notice to vacate (after first reading about it in the press). This came despite public outcry, protests outside Hackney Town Hall and a letter sent to Hackney Mayor, Philip Glanville, on behalf of Hackney Green Party, Hackney Women’s Equality Party and Hackney Liberal Democrats, who agree that returning to a property in a less accessible area would be detrimental to the services offered by Sistah Space, and indicates that Hackney Council don’t see violence against black women as a serious problem.

Hackney Council must listen to women when we talk about our safety. They must listen to black women when they talk about the specific needs of their community, and trust them to know what is needed. The African heritage family are a valued part of our wider community; if black lives really do matter to Hackney Council, they must prove it with actions rather than words.

Written by Charlotte Ruth
Instagram @Charberto

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